He said: "What is important is that we respond to that result -- and especially respond with a different performance because our performance overall was poor.

"On the concentration level, on pace, on defensive stability, it was very poor, and we always looked vulnerable. If you concede two early goals from set-pieces, you are in a position where you always have to come out.

"I just think the whole team have failed to turn up with the right performance. We know that you need to be better focused at this kind of level. Overall, our performance was just not good enough and I include myself in that.

"For me it is maybe better I don’t talk too much, go home and respond better on Wednesday night [against Manchester United]. Congratulations to Liverpool. They were the best team today and we were very poor -- only our fans were good for 90 minutes."

Saturday's game at Anfield was the first time Arsenal had conceded five goals against Liverpool since April 1964, and Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers said: "We were brilliant today -- a wonderful performance in such a prestigious game between the two teams.

"We do a lot of work on our pressing. I always feel if we press well, we can pass well. To play like that, not just the result but the performance level, was absolutely out of this world. I’m very pleased."

"It was an incredible performance. It's not the first time we've been outstanding at home, but everything about us today was incredible. Everything was outstanding.

"We've been getting better and better. We've got a lot of young players developing well. But for us it's just about improving."
He played down talk that Liverpool could still challenge for the title, saying: "You only need to look at our squad really, that can be an indication.

"The objective has always been to finish as high as we can, but you also have to look at the other teams around you. You only have to look at what Arsenal had on the bench today.

"I want to be in a position where we can really challenge for the title here, and the players have been incredible -- we just hope to continue with that development and see where it takes us.

"There is no doubt we have been outstanding for a big part of the season. We have had one or two off days, but in the main our consistency and quality of our game has been incredible. We will keep focused and keep our concentration."